...here we are. Where exactly? That is what I am trying to figure out. I swing back and forth, though not to either extreme, the one being a total immersion into a faith that bears no questioning or doubt, nor the extreme of total denial and disbelief. Is one correct and am I totally deaf and blind to its truth? Perhaps too stubborn to go all in on one pot or the other?
I doubt that, for I am not willing to cede total control of my thoughts and thinking process to the control of others, generally those backward thinking people who believe true faith resides in total acceptance of rules and regulations, the interpretation and expansion of such, and disregard the rather vociferous disagreements re their implementation. How can I possibly know the truth, the actually spot on interpretation if those designated as leaders cannot agree? I must figure that out for myself, always including certain principles and tenets of faith that I simply cannot leave behind.
Nor am I willing to accept a total cessation and disregard of faith. Could that be an outcome from a selfish need to know that I am not alone, that there is something out there, some Power, some last resort, to which one can turn be it in moments of joy or despair? No, not acceptable for that would imply we are here in some 'rando' causation, purpose unknown, if any, bereft of guidance as to how to live life, how to have meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Can't do that.
It is easier in many ways to cede all control, all decisions, to the authority of another, removing the enormously difficult task of self-responsibility, the duty and challenge of deciding for myself, to myself, the rules and manners of life. No, cannot do that, at least I cannot. I am too ornery to accept total cessation of all thought process, of motivation, of soul stamina and determination of behavior to the whims and fancies of others. Nope, not in the cards for me.
What would be the design of a motivational program of life positive in impetus and consequence? Are we in fact alone in this? Can we not forge, together, some format wherein simple clear standards of unbreakable principles would form a structure, a livable one, moral, demanding to a degree for all members of society of adherence to standards of civic and civil behavior? Can we not divine for ourselves a universal code compatible for all? Is humankind as a whole or as individuals capable of sussing out the proper and productive way of life for all, carry within enough inner impetus to do that? Or must we unfortunately incorporate the idea of punishment and consequences, good and bad. As necessary. As earned. Do we have enough strength to withstand temptations of this world, at least enough so that all consequences of negative impact can wait until some future unknown time, evaluated and judged by that Power of vague description? Would that carry enough weight to keep us on the straight and true? Again, not sure, not at all.
Maybe that is not the fault of humans. Perhaps the fault is to be found in our creation, flaws, big or small, built within? Is this flawed creation planned, or random? (Never mind the physical design flaws, backs never meant to carry us through life on a permanent two leg upright position.) Are these flaws too powerful and influential enough to hinder any instinctual push to motivational moral behavior, to counter tendencies for the good? Is it possible for altruism to conquer selfishness?
Take a look around and judge for yourself. Are we in fact a moral society by nature, or do we tend to tilt towards the ugly other side of this coin? Do we value or stress the immediate in this world consequence or do we believe in the world to come for that to take place?
And... full circle. What do we believe? Are we to enforce our ideas and beliefs, force them upon others or do we send them 'out of camp', to others who either believe and practice with a differing set of tenets or who perhaps have no professed faith at all?
Do conflicting principles perforce lead to inevitable warfare, bloody combat rearing its ugly head replete with multiple fangs and claws unsheathed, leaving behind prominent scars forever aching, forever unhealed, always prominent and painful. Would that ugly scenario be better served via a crushing of the differences and a forced adoption for all of one credo? One forced imposed Power for all somehow made to fit all, truncated and unrecognizable, crushing of all individuality, satisfying no one?
One Power - and whose Power would that be? What are its attributes? Is there a negative and positive side? Do they live together in harmony, or do they clash, causing problems for humanity? Is it a truly Divine Being or a super-sized, super powerful version of humanity. Is that Power amenable to all or offensive to some? Does it have an origin story or background compatible with the story of Mankind? Who among humans will willingly adopt a faith in this ginned up power? What, in fact, does that faith contain within and demand of its adherents?
In fact, is it a faith in what is practical or is it a strong never to be denied Faith. A Faith incompatible with another Faith or so deemed by its adherents - and welcome to 2024-2025. And the foreseeable future. Is there in fact one true Faith split into forever incompatible parts, like the elephant and the 6 blind men, each describing accurately individual segments. So right. Yet so wrong. So incompatible in its individuality unless and until some wise mind would find the accurate temperature for melding and unity, inclusive and exclusive at the same time.
And here we are again, ever more circles. Who and what is the Power? Has it created us, or have we created it? If so, was that because of dire need of a Power? If we do not know the correct answer to that, or have an unshakeable faith in one's answer, as opposed to yet another's unshakeable answer, faith in that Faith, we cannot begin to fathom the difficulties to be settled if we are to generate somehow, hopefully ASAP, a society of harmony and inclusion and an end of ceaseless states of war always upon this earth of ours - of our doing!
So many questions. Why are we here in the first place? Was it a random happenstance of the universe or was it a deliberate act of creation? Do we have a purpose? Who would have given us that purpose? Or did it come from within? Is mankind more alike or more different? What is the import of that answer?
That Power - benevolent or harsh? Demanding or understanding? Revengeful or compassionate? Caring or indifferent? Seeking to enlarge and enhance its powers, to be worshipped more and more, playing a numbers game either within its own head or in competition with other gods? Who would be those other gods and powers? Is there in fact One Power or one ruling the many, as bickersome as the humans they disdain. Do they represent various faiths of differing tenets or are they all inclusive within the One Power? Would they agree to mend their differences and set an example for the humans below?
As Humans, we continue to be perplexed and frustrated, despairing of a peaceful, viable solution. A way to peace, and if not friendship, then at least cooperation. How are we to discern where we are to place our faith? Is it faith or Faith? Are we capable of melding universalities without offending the individualities of differing Faiths?
This is a conundrum of head spinning import and impact. Not so easy, though cursory responses are there for those seeking and accepting an easy, soothing answer, a way out, demanding not too much. For me, I prefer to think for myself. I prefer a stress on the concern for each other and find it difficult to accept the idea of a One Power so insecure that He would prefer yet another paean of praise backed by nothingness over an intense interest in His creations and their behavior - thumbs up or down in - morality, kindness, cooperation, goodness, honesty, and love.
More on the morrow.
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